HAYWARD, Calif. — Cal State East Bay men's soccer team earned their second straight CCAA Tournament berth with a key 2-1 victory over Chico State on Sunday afternoon. The Pioneers used a pair of second-half goals from Alejandro Zarate and Julian Valle to cap a strong performance on both sides of the ball and improve to 6-4-5 overall and 4-1-4 in CCAA play.
After a scoreless first half dominated by East Bay's possession and pressure, the Pioneers broke through early in the second. In the 51st minute, Zarate found space along the left side. He cut inside, dribbled by three defenders and sent a low rocket from outside of the box past the keeper for the game's first goal. The goal was his 9th of the season, tying him for the conference lead.
The Pioneers doubled their lead in the 70th minute when Valle chased down a loose ball and dribbled past the keeper on a breakaway. He calmly finished the goal into the empty net to give EB a two-goal cushion.
Chico State pulled one back in the 83rd minute on a goal from Caleb Gordon but East Bay's defense held firm the rest of the way. Goalkeeper Adan Corona was outstanding in net, recording four saves—including a key stop in the 89th minute—to secure the victory.
The hosts appeared to be in complete control, outshooting Chico 22–12 and earning eight corner kicks to the Wildcats' five. Valle and Zarate led the Pioneers with a combined nine shots and both goals.
The Pioneers' currently sit in the third spot in the conference standings, tied with Cal State LA with 16 points. EB holds the tiebreaker over the Golden Eagles with one game left to play. East Bay will host conference leader Cal State Dominguez Hills on Thursday where their seed in the CCAA Tournament will be determined.
Latest Men's Soccer
- Pioneers Battle to Road Draw with Cal Poly PomonaPOMONA, Calif. - Cal State East Bay earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Cal Poly Pomona on Sunday afternoon, extending the Pioneers' unbeaten streak to four matches in CCAA play. Despite being outshot 20-3, East Bay made the most of its chances, scoring early and holding firm defensively down the stretch to secure the road point. The Pioneers moved to 5-4-5 overall and 3-1-4 in CCAA play.
- Pioneers Battle to Scoreless Draw with Cal State San BernardinoSAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — The Cal State East Bay men's soccer team battled Cal State San Bernardino to a 0–0 draw on Friday afternoon, earning a hard-fought point on the road in a match defined by the defense. With the result, the Pioneers move to 5-4-4 overall and 3-1-3 in CCAA play.
- Zarate Named CCAA Men’s Offensive Athlete of the WeekAlejandro Zarate has been named this week's CCAA Men's Soccer Athlete of the Week after he secured the Pioneers to two crucial conference victories.
- Zarate Nets Another Brace as Pioneers Defeat Cal State Monterey BayHAYWARD, Calif. — Alejandro capped off a career week with his second straight brace to lift the Cal State men's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Cal State Monterey Bay. The win marked the Pioneers third win in their last four CCAA matches and positions them alone in third place with a 3-1-2 record.
- Zarate’s Brace Helps Pioneers Knock Off No. 15 Cal State LAALAMEDA, Calif. —Alejandro Zarate scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner as the Cal State East Bay men's soccer team earned a statement 3–2 victory over No. 15 Cal State LA. The victory was the first in program history over the Golden Eagles and improved the Pioneers to 4-4-3 overall and 2-1-2 in CCAA play.
- Pioneers Furious Comeback Falls Just Short at Cal State San MarcosSAN MARCOS, Calif. — Cal State East Bay men's soccer mounted an inspired second-half comeback on the road but fell just short in a 5–3 loss to Cal State San Marcos. The Pioneers found themselves trailing 4–0 before storming back with three goals in a four-minute span to pull within striking distance. The Cougars then netted a late insurance goal to preserve the win and move EB to 3-4-3 overall and 1-1-2 in CCAA play.
